Collateral Damage Daily for August 8

Brett Lawrie remains out of the lineup with oblique soreness and may need a trip to the DL. Ö Kevin Youkilis has been dealing with a sore right knee, but it is considered a minor injury. Ö Brendan Ryan is still limited after being plunked by a pitch on the left elbow over the weekend. The pain, swelling, and resulting inflammation has not gone down enough to allow full motion and strength, Ö Rob Johnson was out of the lineup yesterday because of a bruised right hand and is day-to-day. Ö Alfonso Soriano was out of the lineup yesterday with an injury to his right index finger. Heís day-to-day. Ö Yonder Alonso was out yesterday with a minor hamstring injury, and heís not expected to need a DL stint. Ö Jose Reyes injured his right hand last night, so he may miss a game here or there moving forward. ... Santiago Casilla had issues with his blister again. Ö Travis Hafner is going to have more tests to determine the cause for his continued back soreness.

Additions

Donnie Murphy was moved to the 15-day DL with a strained left hamstring since it didnít improve with a few days of rest. Middle infielders average around 26 days on the DL with hamstring strains. Giancarlo Stanton was activated in a corresponding move.

Jordan Schafer was placed on the 15-day DL yesterday with a separated left shoulder after first experiencing soreness over the weekend. The average time missed for an outfielder is 36 days, but several players have come back in under three weeks. Schafer has had a lot of trouble staying healthy, so buyer beware. Brandon Barnes was called up to take Schaferís roster spot.

Shane Loux returned to the 15-day DL with a recurring neck strain that has already cost him a month of the season. Whenever there are recurring neck strains or neck spasms, there has to be concern for a disc-related issue. There hasnít been word on whether Loux has undergone an MRI, but I imagine that one is in his future. Relievers average about 25 days on the DL with strained necks, so itís unlikely that Loux will be back in the minimum. Jose Mijares was added to the roster in Louxís place.

Subtractions

After spending the last month on the disabled list recovering from surgery to remove loose bodies from his right knee, Giancarlo Stanton was activated from the disabled list Tuesday. Stanton was able to return toward the early end of his original four to six week projection and looks to help turn around a team that has gone 8 -18 since he went on the DL. By having the loose chips removed from his right knee, Stanton should theoretically be able to rotate and drive off the back leg more consistently at the plate, although he was doing just fine before the surgery. Murphy was sent to the DL in a corresponding move.

Cliff Pennington was activated from the disabled list yesterday after spending the last 18 days recovering from elbow inflammation. Pennington has not been productive this year, so there was some thought of keeping him on the DL a little longer to regain his timing at the plate. After only three starts on his rehab assignment, he had five hits and showed a good eye with three walks, so the Athletics felt he made enough progress. The inflammation has a slightly elevated risk of recurring, so Pennington still has to be careful. Pedro Figueroa was optioned to Sacramento.